I smiled, touching her cheek. Then pulled away. We turned back to our dwelling. I would have taken her hand in mine. If her hands, were not full. These boxes, my life fit in them. Now, maybe, I would have a better sense of permanence. I was officially home.
Chapter 33
(Starla)
Wham! Bang, thud. Startled I sat up in bed. What the heck was going on downstairs? I turned to my nightstand and reached for my cell phone Ten-fifty-six a.m. Damn! Jenson would be here in fifteen minutes. I sprang out of bed, sliding a crossed the room. No time to bother with the racket below. Whatever it was, mom had it handled or, she’d have been knocking my door down. I pulled open my dresser drawer. OK, green sweater, white T to go underneath it, and a pair of faded blues. I threw off my PJ’s leaving them in a pile. Then scrambled to get my clothes on. There, now if only I could find where I’d tossed my shoes, scanning the room, my ears perked up. No, no time to go all foxy! I had on my favorite sweater. There, my shoes! I pulled them out from under the bed and put them on my feet. OK, feet let’s go. Stuffing my cell phone in my pocket, I headed downstairs. Almost falling as I went.
“Mom, Do you know if Jenson is here yet?” I hollered from the hallway.
My mom stuck her head out of the kitchen alcove. “You’re right there. See for yourself. I’m making pancakes if you want some. Um, that is if you’re not planning on eating out with your friends.”
My eyes darted between the doorway to the kitchen and the one leading outside. If I ate pancakes and then had brunch. Ugh! I’d better not. “No thanks, mom. I won’t be back until tonight. I have that meeting with Nayla.”
“I know, I’ll be there,” she said, holding up the dish towel in her hand.
“Mom, were you doing dishes again?”
“Guilty, if you girls wouldn’t just pop in and out. Your sister’s becoming quite popular! She always off somewhere with Carol. There’s this new girl too. I haven’t got a name yet.”
“Mom, it’s Megan. The mega math genius. I wouldn’t worry,” I answered.
“Mom’s worry,” she replied, winking at me. Then disappeared into the kitchen.
I pulled out my cell phone, Ten fifty-nine. “So what was all the noise this morning?” I said, turning towards her.
“Your dad brought his stuff today. He sure didn’t have much. Can you come into the kitchen if we're going to talk?”
I took a few steps and peered in. Dad was sitting at the table eating some cereal. I went over and leaned against the counter, observing the scene. Mom was drying dishes and dad mowing down on cornflakes. Is this what it would be like having him home?
“Hey, so I’ll see you, later at the meeting?” he asked.
“Of course, do you think I want to upset Nayla? Besides, I’d like to figure out what’s going on with this black wolf,” I pressed.
My dad pushed away his cereal bowl and got up to stretch. He rubbed his eyes. Then rolled his shoulders back a bit.
“You OK? Dad?”
“We’ll discuss the situation tonight. Give me a chance to move in?” he joked.
“Trying to make light of things I see. Sure, dad.” I sighed forcing myself to grin.
“We’ll figure it out. Nayla will be ecstatic to see me,” admitted my mom. She placed the dish rag on the rack off to the side of the sink. “You know, it was nice seeing Eva the other day. It’s going to be weird for a bit, but I’ll adjust.”
“Mom, are you asking me to give you time?”
“Yes, time to get used to you being independent. It’s a new phase of your life. I’m going to be here for it. Also, it’s going to be new for me.”
“Um, Mom. Would you consider going for a fox run with me? After all, this. You, and me. Mother and daughter, racing into the wilderness,” I smirked.
“Are you joking, Starla?”
“No, mom, it would be fun. A bonding experience, we’ve never had. Who knows, maybe Nayla will ask you to join our meditation,” I offered.
“Let’s not go, that far yet! However, I wouldn’t put it past her,” she replied, lying the dish rag in the sink.
A sharp rap on the front door surprised me. “I bet that’s Jenson.”
“Go ahead, your mother and I will see you at the park.”
“Yeah, see ya,” I said.
Back in the hallway of our apartment, Molly peered into the small window, at our door. She was making funny faces attempting to get me to laugh. I pulled it open, letting her enter.
“Is everything OK? Jenson was supposed to pick me up,” I said, irritated.
“What, you’re not happy to see me?” she asked, leaning against the door frame.
“I didn’t say that,” I answered, grabbing my coat off the hook. “So where is my silly boy? Is he OK?”
“He’s with Owl. They’ll meet us at the Sunshine Cafe. I guess they had some things to do for Rascal.”
“He called me this morning asking me to pick you up. Maine’s waiting in the car. She’s driving us.”
“Cool, let’s jet.”
I zipped up my coat. Then reached into my pocket, taking out my hat and gloves. I tugged them on ready for the chilly weather. Molly closed the door behinds us as we left. The sunshine outside energized and awakened me.
“It’s beautiful. A great day, for a drive. Well a short one anyhow,” I said.
Molly nodded to me pointing to Maine’s car. It was pink. Pink!
“Wow, your lady has class.” I jogged up to it, placing my hand on the window, backed up, and waved to Maine. She smiled at us. Then mouthed, Come On! Molly grinned back at her.
“I’m head over heels,” she said, opening the back door for me to get in. I pushed my hair behind my ears and sat. Molly shut the door behind me. Then got into the passenger's seat next to Maine.
“So how are you doing? Anything new?” she asked, glancing back at me.
Wow, wish I could tell her. Hey! I’m a fox. Your girlfriend and I are going to be at a trial. I’m preparing to be a guardian in my clan. You’re soon to be Wicca skills would be wicked cool! Instead, I answered with “I’m doing OK. My dad’s moving back in. That’s good news. It was a weird situation.”
“I bet, how long was he away? Molly’s been hush-hush, about you.”
“She has?”
“Yes, on particular questions. She’s respectful like that,” answered Maine, looking over at Molly. She turned the ignition starting the car and pulled out of the driveway.
“Has she told you I’m obsessed with Buffy?”
Maine stifled a giggle. “Yes, that was one of the first things she said when I told her I had taken out a few books on Wicca from the library. The dance was fun, but we barely got to know one another.”
“Right, you sure can boogie. It was great, though. I don’t get out often unless it’s to work or class.”
Maine nodded in agreement. I glanced at Molly, who laid a hand on her thigh. I melted back into my seat. Gah, I missed Jenson. Oh, stop acting like a fifth grader. I scolded myself.
“You, OK, back there? You sort of, have this gushy look on your face,” said Molly, looking back at me.
“Yeah, I’m just thinking about Jenson. We haven’t gotten any us time, since the dance. He’s been off with Owl. Then the other night when we hung out. You know with all the family crap I’ve got going on, It kind of sucks.”
“I understand. It’ll get better,” Molly reassured me.
Maine lifted an eyebrow and shifted the topic. “I don’t know if anyone around here teaches the craft of Wicca. I haven’t felt this place out yet. No one seems too stiff or uptight. Life is crazy.”
Didn’t I know it! Hadn’t Star said she’d trained with a Shamen when I’d first met her? Perhaps she could teach Maine. If not her, someone in our tribe must practice. My dad had said not to involve her. Maybe he was right. If after the hearing things went back to whatever my tribe felt was normal, then I could introduce her to the real me.
Molly fidgeted in her seat. “Look, Owl and Jenson a
re already here.”
I saw Rascal’s pickup parked near the entryway. Owl must have borrowed it. Didn’t he have a car of his own? I let the thought slide out of my head. My stomach let out a loud growl.
“I can’t wait to get a stack of chocolate chip pancakes!” I announced. Then pushed open the car door while Molly unbuckled her seat belt. Maine hopped out of the car slamming the door behind her. She raced up to the entrance holding the door open for Molly and me. Once inside, we dashed over to Jenson and Owl sitting at our regular booth.
“Hey, guys! We already ordered. We were starving,” Owl emphasized.
“Hi, Owl,” I said, scooting in next to Jenson. Molly and Maine took seats a crossed from us.
“Rascal had us set up a display this morning for the Spring art market. It’s going to be off the hook. Most of it was setting up tables for the craft booths,” Jenson explained.
My hand found his underneath the table. I felt him squeeze it reassuringly. I leaned over and kissed him. Then slowly pulled away.
“What was that for, it isn’t like you.”
“I missed you,” I admitted. Everyone at the table was blushing except me.
“How about those pancakes?” asked Maine. She picked up the menu off the table. The rest of us began to look over it. Then ordered when the waitress hustled over.
We’d been busy stuffing ourselves with pancakes when a thought occurred to me. “Has anyone done anything for Jones class yet? I haven’t even started trying to decide on a project. Jenson you should already have everything set. You and Owl, have been hanging, out a lot. I’m sure he’s given you some idea’s.”
“We’ve been focusing on the pow-wow coming up. This Spring art market was dropped on us earlier today. I wasn’t planning on it,” he answered.
I pushed aside my half eaten stack of pancakes.
“You’re full already? Can I have the rest?” asked Jenson.
I pushed them over to him. “Sure, knock yourself out or your stomach. If you wish,” I scoffed.
“Are you mad? You seemed happy a few minutes ago.”
“I’m not mad. I’m just wondering what I’m going to do for Jone’s class. Then the meeting at Hunter’s Park today. Mom and dad seem psyched about it,” I said, forgetting Maine was there.
“Is someone trying to cause trouble again?” she asked.
“Sort of, it’s all supposed to be on the down low,” I acknowledged and rolled my eyes. Jenson placed his arm around my shoulder.
Molly looked up from her potatoes she’d been pushing around on her plate. “After class on Thursday, we could go to the library. Do you have to work?”
“Only before class, after would be great. I’ve been contemplating how to work on a project related to what’s happening.”
“You mean with Hunter’s Park,” commented Owl.
“Yep,” I answered.
Maine picked up her glass of water and took a long drink. She set it down. Molly grabbed her hand moving a bit closer to her. I pulled my hair up into a ponytail using the band on my wrist. Owl looked questionably at us.
“Is something going on?” asked Maine.
I shook my head and sighed. Then stretched my arms above my head, attempting to get the knots out of my back. Afterward, I pulled them back towards me propping them on the table.
“I can’t say. I’ve been sworn to secrecy,” I muttered.
“It’s about your family, isn’t it?” asked Maine.
I played with the dirt under my fingernails. “It’s complicated. I’ve only known you since Moll had a crush on you. It’s not like I don’t want to trust you.”
“I see. I’m just curious if maybe I could help in some way.”
“Come on, Starla. You’re an adult. When did you, start letting people tell you, what to do?” asked Jenson.
“Peer pressure, but you’re right. What I don’t need, though, is anyone freaking out on me. I don’t want to create conflict.” I sighed, then laid my chin on my hand. I stared out the window at the parking lot in silence and drummed my knuckles on the table in aggravation. My mom wanted a normal life for me. Maybe I should have accepted that. No! I'd done the right thing by rescuing Cal. I had to become a fox. I needed the clan. I turned to my friends. Then looked directly at Maine. “I’m going to tell you a secret. Please don’t flip out.”
Chapter 34
(Dan)
Tri slammed the door shut behind us. I set my boxes down against the wall in the entryway. Tri placed her’s, on top of them.
“Want me to help you unpack. After that, we could take a walk. What do you suggest we do?”
“I can unpack later. It’s just clothing. Is there a place you want me to put the lamp? Or we could...”
“Dan,” Tri said, sauntering over to where I stood.
“What?” I asked, staring at her strawberry blonde hair. It fell onto her shoulders out of the hair tie. It was a mess. A beautiful one at that.
She touched my shoulder, placing her arms around me. I stared at her with my silly grin.
“That smile is what got me into trouble in the first place, you know,” she admitted, letting her finger trail down my face.
“You sure about that?” I demanded.
“There is nothing else I have been surer of in my life. Now you’re here. Leading us right back where we were. I hope I’ve made the right choice.”
“You give up on being a sort of widower then?” I asked, admiring her hazel eyes. “Foxes do mate for life,” I reminded her.
“Even though I don’t agree with that rule, yes,” Tri replied.
I embraced her. “Starla’s safe now,” I whispered in her ear.
“No one will ever be safe. Not 100%. No one can guarantee anyone’s safety. It’s time I’ve admitted that to myself.”
“I love you, Tri,” I answered.
She pulled me closer. I put my arms tightly around her. Then placed my hand under her bum lifting her up. She laughed at this.
“You think I’m this easily played?” she asked, staring into my eyes.
“It’s been a long time. We haven’t since Megan.”
She playfully slapped me on the chest. Eventually, leaning her face in close to mine. She admired my eyes mischievously inching her lips closer and closer until I felt them on mine. Little by little she pulled away from me.
“I love you, but it’s not going to happen today.” She patted my chest gently eyeing the ground. “Let’s unpack your clothes. Afterward, we’ll go for a walk. You are a gentleman still, correct?”
I smiled at my wife putting aside my hormones. Then gently set her down on the ground.
“OK, it’s alright. I’ll unpack myself. Did you empty some drawers for me?” I asked, turning towards the hallway.
“So now you won’t let me help you unpack?”
I could feel the tension in the room. Hadn’t we just had an incredible moment? Wasn’t I getting my wife back? I took a deep breath before replying to her question.
“I’m not mad at you. I thought you might have work to do, for the library. I was trying to be considerate,” I answered.
“So later, we’ll go on a walk?” she asked.
“Of course, I’m not going to fight over intimacy. When the time is right, we’ll come together again. I know this is happening a lot faster than we’d planned.”
“The whole Starla, being a guardian, finding Cal, and me possibly being a part of the tribe again. Yeah, that happened way too fast. Us, though, I’d always hoped we’d find our way back to each other. I know you’ve felt the same.”
“Sure as peaches and cream,” I chirped.
“I understand you want to unpack yourself, but I do need to show you where the bedroom is. It’s the one room you haven’t seen yet. You’ll love it! Even Megan has her own bathroom.”
“I guess that’s why they call it Springville’s Luxury apartments,” I added.
“Yes, and watch out for the sprinkler system. It’ easy to turn it on accidentally.”
“Who turned it on?”
“Starla, one night she came home from work. She said it went off. It was a mess to clean up. The room is just to the,” I paused as he started to walk in the direction of my room. “Yeah, how did you know?” Tri asked.
“Um, the one night you had me stay to watch films with you. I kind of, snooped around. You let me use the guest bathroom. It’s a crossed from it.”
“So you’ll grab the boxes from the hall. I’ll be in the living room going over several new books. I have various choices. We only have funds for twenty novels. There are a lot of new writers presently.”
“Go ahead. I’ll be finished in, say twenty minutes or less,” I answered, glancing at my watch. “I’d like to shower after. I didn’t want to bother at my last residence.”
“I’ll be in the living room if you need me,” she offered.
I watched her swing her hips as she left the room. I wasn’t a teenage boy anymore. Still, inside I ached. It would happen, I told myself and turned back to get the boxes waiting for me in the hall.
About half an hour later....
“Are you done already?” Tri asked, poking her head into the bedroom.
“Yeah. Let me, grab my coat. Where are we going?”
“Have you been to the library? I imagine you’ve visited the college version. Not mine, though. We could see about digging up more information on that black wolf,” she offered.
“About that, I have news. I shouldn’t discuss it, til tonight.
“OK. We could get a slushy. I swear Megan and Starla live at that convenience store. I’ve kept reminding them. I still pay for their dental bills.”
“Come on. The girls are pretty good. We're lucky that Starla hasn't moved out yet. She still wants to be at home. You know that time will come. Has Megan started dating yet?” I asked.
“Nah,” answered Tri. We strolled into the hallway, then onto the landing near the front entryway. She pulled our coats off of the hooks on the wall.
“Starla and Jenson haven’t started...” I stopped and cleared my throat not wanting to have to process it.
Spirit Guide (Myth-Series Book 2) Page 15